By A school bus carrying students and teachers caught fire in suburban Bangkok on Tuesday, with officials fearing more than 20 fatalities. The incident has shocked the nation and raised questions about transportation safety for students in Thailand.
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungruengkit told reporters at the scene that the bus was transporting 44 passengers from central Uthai Thani province on a school trip to Ayutthaya and Nonthaburi provinces when the fire broke out.
“This is a tragic incident that has deeply affected our community,” Jungrungruengkit said. “We are doing everything in our power to assist the victims and their families.”
Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated that officials could not yet confirm the exact number of fatalities as the investigation was ongoing. The driver reportedly survived but fled the scene and has not been located.
Piyalak Thinkaew, a rescuer from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation, later reported that two more survivors had been found, reducing the number of missing to 23 — three teachers and 20 students.
“Most of the bodies were found in the middle and back seats,” Thinkaew said, “leading us to believe the fire started at the front of the bus.”
Eyewitness accounts and videos posted on social media showed the entire bus engulfed in flames, with thick black smoke billowing from the vehicle on the roadside.
A rescue worker at the scene told the transport minister that the fire likely started after a tire explosion caused the vehicle to scrape against a road barrier.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra offered condolences on social media platform X, promising government support for medical expenses and compensation to victims’ families.
Rangsit Hospital, located near the incident, reported admitting three young girls, one of whom suffered burns to her face, mouth, and eye.
apnews.com
